Ministry of Civil Affairs and the United Nation's Children's
Fund (UNICEF) will strengthen their cooperation in the next five
years to help more street children in Zhengzhou, capital of Central
China's Henan Province, and spread the city's successful
experiences in rescuing homeless kids.
UNICEF will contribute about US$100,000 each year to six
projects, such as developing training centers, setting up a
national level workshop on the city's methods, and updating
published information, sources from UNICEF said.
They will try to enhance cooperation on helping homeless
children avoid violence and AIDS.
"Many street children leave home and live on the streets because
of violence and neglect in the family," said Masahiro Ono, chief of
Protection and Community Services Section of UNICEF Office for
China.
"And they also face violence in the street. That is why we want
to teach the street children and work staff to avoid violence."
"We also underline the importance of our support to HIV/AIDS
prevention as street children are one of the most vulnerable groups
in society," he said.
"Although we don't really have figures in China for street
children infected by HIV/AIDS, studies in other countries
demonstrate that street children and former street children are in
fact extremely vulnerable."
Achievements have been made in Zhengzhou during the past five
years.
The city has set up a multi-level protection model, which due to
its innovative rights-based approach is now being replicated in
different parts of the country.
The model introduced approaches such as a 24-hour drop-in center
for street children, an outreach program among university students,
community-based residential care, and foster care. All of these
things were a first for China.
Statistics from the Ministry of Civil Affairs indicated that in
2002, China had about 150,000 street children.
About 70 percent were boys and more than 80 percent came from
poverty-stricken areas with very little education.
Currently China has at least 130 rescue centers nationwide for
homeless children.
The focus of their work has gradually turned from taking in
street children to protecting their rights.
(China Daily January 5, 2006)